French Legislation In English

Search, Read and Apply French Law. In English.

20+ full codes, 2,400+ articles translated and updated. Case law linked to every article. Read the actual text before you ask a lawyer about it — free, no login required.

Try: L.227-1 SAS governance, L.145-9 bail commercial renewal, L.223-18 gérant removal SARL

20+

french codes

Fully translated

2,400+

articles in English

Updated regularly

480+

court rulings linked

Per article

Free

full access

No login required

Showing 46114620 of 61852 articles for Art. Cass. 1re civ. 4 December 2013 · Cass. com. 15 November 2005 · Cass. com. 2 April 1974 · Cass. com. 13 May 1980

French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 453

The court clerk keeps notes of the proceedings and mainly, under the direction of the president, of the statements of the witnesses as well as the answers of the accused.The notes of the hearing are s…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 455

During the debates, the chairman shall, if necessary, have the exhibits presented to the accused or to the witnesses and shall receive their observations.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 433

Matters giving rise to minutes that are authentic until a false entry is made are governed by special laws. In the absence of an express provision the procedure for the inscription of forgery is regul…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 444

…by the parties who are present at the opening of the proceedings without having been duly summoned may also, with the permission of the court, be admitted to give evidence.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 448

…r any other ascendant of the accused or of one of the accused present and involved in the same case;2° Of the son, daughter or any other descendant;3° Of the brothers and sisters;4° Of the allies to t…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 451

…ut the president shall notify the court. A person whose denunciation is rewarded pecuniarily by law may also be heard as a witness, unless one of the parties, or the public prosecutor, objects.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 437

…s is required to appear, to take an oath and to give evidence subject to the provisions of Articles 226-13 and 226-14 of the Penal Code.Any journalist heard as a witness on information gathered in the…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 446

Before beginning their testimony, witnesses take an oath to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 434

…considers that an expert opinion is necessary, it shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 156 to 166,168 and 169.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 436

After making the findings provided for in Article 406, the President shall order the witnesses to retire to the room intended for them. They may leave only to give evidence. The President shall, if ne…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
Common Questions

French legislation in English — Q&A

Our translations are produced and reviewed for accuracy, but the only legally binding version of French law is the French original. For court, registry or contractual use we offer lawyer-reviewed or sworn certified translations on request.
Articles are synced with Légifrance and updated as soon as a reform is published in the Journal Officiel, so you always read the version in force — and can see when each article was last amended.
Each article is linked to the key court decisions (Cour de cassation, Conseil d'État, courts of appeal) that interpret it, so you can read the text and its case-law application side by side.
Yes — every article has an AI plain-English summary, and you can order a lawyer-reviewed explanation of how it applies to your specific situation, with next steps.
No. Reading and searching the codes is free with no login. Paid services — certified translation and the legal application report — are entirely optional.
Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In French Corporate Practice

English · French · Russian

Ready When You Are

Talk To A Lawyer
In France.

A 20–30 minute call, in English, to scope the engagement. No obligation, no preliminary fee. You will leave the call with a clear view of what the work will cover and what it will cost.

First EngagementFixed Fee

Talk to a French lawyer.

Reply within 24 hours.

Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

Continue

Related legal services

01 / Read

Browse the French codes

20+ full codes and 2,400+ articles in English, with the key court rulings linked to every article — free to read.

Read More
02 / Apply

Legal application report

A lawyer-reviewed report explaining how the relevant articles apply to your situation, with case-law analysis and next steps.

Read More
03 / Act

Talk to a French lawyer

Scope your matter with a Paris-Bar avocate — incorporation, contracts, disputes — handled bilingually, end to end.

Read More